Fighting little puppies

[Mrs O'M]

2 weeks ago DP and I brought home 2 little maltese x shih tzu sisters. They were 6 weeks old at the time and adorable. However since we have had them home they have turned into little monsters.

We have had puppies before and sibling puppies too and we have never had the same issue as what we have with these girls. When we bought them from the breeder she told us that a little rough and tumble is normal to establish the status in the home. However our 2 little girls have not stopped fighting for 2 weeks. The only time they stop is to eat or to sleep which they do cuddled up next to each other like butter wouldnt melt in their mouths.

Is this normal? are they still trying to figure out the status? we are trying to train them to be calm and obedient before bub arrives as the last thing we want is crazy puppies around the bub.

Any advice would be much appreciated,

[LionsandBears]

I'm not an expert, but I do know one reason it's recommended that people get a male and female, rather than 2 males or 2 females, is to avoid the problem with status. Remember, all dogs are 98% grey wolf. They belong in a pack and everyone has their place. You are the pack leaders, so they need to work out their place in the pecking order. They'll fight until one backs down.

Also, they're puppies. They're going to play. Have you had this breed mix before? It may be a characteristic of the breed. I wouldn't expect puppies to be calm and obedient. Are you taking them to puppy school?

ETA - one reason may be they were too young to be away from their mother, who teaches them a lot of this stuff. Puppies shouldn't be away from their mother before they're 8-12 weeks. Did you meet the parents?

[Mrs O'M]

That makes sense. We have had 2 female siblings before with no issues, but perhaps for these ladies they are just figuring out who will back down.

I wish we could take them to puppy school, but we live quite remotely and the closest one is over 1200kms away..... so we will have to work through it alone, once they have had all their vaccinations we will begin to socialise them with the other doggies in the neighbourhood.

We met the mother and these girls were actually 2 of the last to leave the litter. So I wonder whats happening with the rest of the pups.

Thanks for your advice